Help create a vegetative roof and permaculture garden in Proussy, France

  • Favourited 30 times
  • Last activity: 3 Feb 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are an English family living in France. We speak native English and my daughter (12) goes to school here.

    Learn to respect and encourage nature and live a more sustainable life. We are a family (myself, my husband and daughter) that wants to change the way we live - less consumption of material things and more time to grow our own food (permaculture), make things (preserves and crafts) and build (green roof).
    We use a dry compost toilet and aim to renovate our outbuilding by creating a green roof, building a gabion basket wall and growing as much food as we can.
    Come and learn with us!

    Proussy is a hamlet in Normandy, France surrounded by agriculture and beautiful countryside (it's nicknamed Suisse Normande as it has an abundance of rocky mountains in the area).

    In the spring, we will start to grow fruits and vegetable. In the summer we will start constructing a green roof (hopefully capable of growing food too). In the autumn, we learn how to preserve our harvest and make things like knitting, macrame, sewing etc.

    Throughout the year, there will be opportunities to learn English, French and yoga. There are plenty of wonderful villages and beautiful walks in the forest to enjoy in the local area. There are lots of sporting activities to try, like canoeing, rock climbing and gliding - within 10 mins by car.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Language practice
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    To learn that it is possible to live a simpler life. Aside from learning about the practical aspects (eg gardening, building, making crafts), I think it's also important to appreciate the resources and make use of our time.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    We would like to share our journey. We would like help with creating a 'no-dig' garden, repairing a stone outbuilding and creating a green roof (hopefully to also grow shallow root vegetable).

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Chinese (Cantonese): Fluent
    French: Intermediate

    This host offers a language exchange
    Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    A room in the house or our outbuilding. We will share the living areas and the cooking. I am trying to eat less meat, with the intention of growing much of my fruit and vegetables. There is much to learn and try.
    I love cooking and specialise in chinese and asian cuisine - sushi, Thai curry, fried rice. But also simple dishes too.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    During your time off, I would recommend walking in the beautiful forests nearby or rock climbing. We are keen rock climbers and like to go as often as the weather permits. There are local facilites too, like swimming (in the river or indoor swimming pool), cinema and bowling.
    We are keen to meet people who are ready to make a change in their lives. Previously, we lived in England and had 'busy' lives balancing work and life. We are easy going people who like to enjoy the simpler things in life and live a slower life.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    There’s a large gravelled area for you to park.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 813247277635

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